The Minish Cap: A heart of stone

 A heart of stone

Heart: Link gets hurt a lot while adventuring, at least he seems to when I am playing, and so he needs to heal those wounds with these hearts. He can find hearts just about anywhere, cutting long grass, digging a hole, breaking a pot, and anywhere else he might find a small bit of treasure.

Freeing a proud djinn from the thrall of a wicked sorcerer earned the warrior three wishes. Wishing for invulnerability from harm, the djinn made their body impervious to any injury and the warrior's heart hardened against any loss. But a heart that cannot break is a heart that cannot love, so the stoic warrior wanders eternally with their djinn companion who cannot convince the warrior to make their final wishes.

----------

I made my own booster packs! Check them out on my Patreon of Ko-Fi. The process of designing and making the boosters with randomly selected cards that I made was very satisfying.

Drewly is next month. It’s a month-long challenge to celebrate art you have already made. No need to rush to make a bunch of new art, just post your art as is. Finished or not, the act of creation is worth celebrating, so celebrate everything you have already done.

You can see posts of Drewly’s past here.

How to support me:

Ko-fi: Pay What You Want links 

Patreon: Shop and sustaining support 

Red Bubble: Buy a sticker or magnet

See my latest releases on Linktree

Thank you for your support.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

The Minish Cap: A flaky croissant

 A flaky croissant

Croissant: Available for purchase at the bakery, these refreshing rolls restore a few hearts when eaten. Link also has a chance to find a kinstone fragment baked inside the bread. 

Flaky dough with hundreds of paper thin layers of butter are the hallmark of the croissant. It is also the bar that all apprentice bakers must meet to graduate into the rank of sojourner and be set off to work and learn in the bakeries of the Royaume. The bakers guild’s high standards and commitment to education have made the pastries of even the simplest town a delicious treat.  

----------

There is some to do on the internet about curved vs straight croissant, but I don’t have enough time to really find an answer with proper support. Let me know if you know and tell me how you know what you know. 

What can we really know anyway?

One way you can improve the world is to reach out to your friends with strained or estranged familial relationships. That sort of thing takes a toll on a person , so check in with them and offer them love.

How to support me:

Ko-fi: Pay What You Want links 

Patreon: Shop and sustaining support 

Red Bubble: Buy a sticker or magnet

See my latest releases on Linktree

Thank you for your support.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

The Minish Cap: Our last piece of bread

 Our last piece of bread

Brioche: These tasty loaves can be purchased at the bakery and heal a single heart when eaten. Some of the loaves are baked with a surprised kinstone piece inside, which means you should  hew with care until you are sure if there is a friendly rock in your food or not.

I know this is our last piece of bread, but we need to know the way back to the edge of the forest so we can find our way home once we find the snipe nest dad sent us after. He said that us going after the snipe nest will solve all of our families' money issues so it’s bound to be worth a lot. Maybe we can ask whoever lives in that strange looking hut in the clearing up ahead.

----------

My vast collection of item cards includes a lot of these odd ones that people always ask, “why would anyone need that?” I love randomly picking some item cards to spice up loot drops in my games and getting one of these weird ones. Sometimes I have a great idea, sometimes my players have a great idea, and sometimes it just get stowed in their shared loot for so long that I come up with a “the vault has ants” plot because they stored a crumbling slice of bread.

How to support me:

Ko-fi: Pay What You Want links 

Patreon: Shop and sustaining support 

Red Bubble: Buy a sticker or magnet

See my latest releases on Linktree

Thank you for your support.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

The Minish Cap: A glowing bamboo shoot

 A glowing bamboo shoot

Fairy: Link can catch fairies in empty bottles found in fairy shrines or discovered in cut grass or broken stones. When Link falls in battle with a fairy still in a bottle, the fairy leaps out of the bottle and heals Link, saving him from death.

A lonely couple living simply as bamboo cutters deep in the mountains always wanted a child, but were never blessed with a one naturally. One day, the bamboo cutters were gathering mature stalks when they spotted a bamboo shoot growing unseasonably late. When they approached the shoot, it opened revealing a baby, answering their prayers for a child with this heavensent foundling. 

----------

I rewatched The Tale of Princess Kaguya as a parent for the first time recently and the movie really hit differently. It has been such a gift watching my kid grow up. Now some parts of movies I just watched without connecting to are some of my favorite parts of the story. Small moments of babies being babies or of real moments from parenting really resonate. I love that Ghibli includes these more ground aspects of life in otherwise fantastical tales. 

How to support me:

Ko-fi: Donations and Digital shop

Patreon: Sustaining support and Digital shop 

Red Bubble: Buy a sticker or magnet

See my newest releases on Linktree

Thank you for your support.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Jackie Chan Adventures: Horse Talisman

 Horse Talisman

Horse Talisman: The power of the horse talisman gives the idiomatic power of healing. This healing is limited to physical injury, illness, and damage. The horse cannot heal magical wounds or curses.

The Twelve Talismans each hold a power that once belonged to one of the original noble animals that were immortalized in the Chinese zodiac. A demonic sorcerer stole the powers for himself and used them to rule over ancient China. His rule was ended by a master chi wizard who sealed the demon’s spirit in a statue and cast the twelve powers into stone talismans to be scattered across the world.

You can download the complete set of talismans here (pay what you want) or here ($3).

You can also get a sticker of your favorite talisman here.

How to support me:

Ko-fi: Donations and Digital shop

Patreon: Sustaining support and Digital shop 

Red Bubble: Buy a sticker or magnet

See my newest releases on Linktree

Thank you for your support.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

The Minish Cap: Eat Me

 Eat Me

Red Potion: Red potions are potent enough to fully heal Link’s missing hearts, regardless of how many he is missing. As they have fewer limitations on their healing, they are more expensive to purchase at Syrup’s shop. Link must also unlock the ability to buy these improved potions by fusing kinstones with a particular Forest Picori.

Are you too small? Is there something you need lying just out of reach? Eat this to grow.

----------

I’m fairly certain that this is the last of the Alice in Wonderland references in this set. I can’t remember drawing a flamingo-shaped club or an anthropomorphic playing card. If I did, it just goes to show you that I have made such a large project as to forget exactly what all makes it up.

How to support me:

Ko-fi: Donations and Digital shop

Patreon: Sustaining support and Digital shop 

Red Bubble: Buy a sticker or magnet

See my newest releases on Linktree

Thank you for your support.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

The Minish Cap: Drink me

 The Minish Cap: Drink me

Blue Potion: In The Minish Cap, blue potions heal eight hearts when drunk. Link can purchase blue potion from Syrup the witch, but he must have an empty bottle to store the concoction.

Are you too big? Does an obstacle with a tiny opening block your path? Drink this to shrink.

----------

Alice in Wonderland was one of my favorite movies as a kid, but I have still not sat down and read the book. It is on my shelf in my ever-growing to-read list, but that is purgatory for books.

US election day is coming and the country is in desperate need for some turning around. Please, vote if you are able, and I hope you realize that most of our country’s problems are not the result of foreign peoples ruining the American dream, but are instead caused by the ultra-wealthy elite consolidating wealth and power at the expense of everyone else’s well-being.

How to support me:

Ko-fi: Donations and Digital shop

Patreon: Sustaining support and Digital shop 

Red Bubble: Buy a sticker or magnet

See my newest releases on Linktree

Thank you for your support.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

The Minish Cap: Have you seen me?

Have you seen me?

Lon Lon Milk: Milk from the Lon Lon Ranch is sold in Hyrule Town once Link has unlocked the ranch door with the spare key. Link can drink milk to restore some hearts during his adventures.

Isn’t it weird that they left the picture blank for the missing kid on the side of this milk?

What did you say...wait, who was I talking to?

It’s sad that another kid is missing, and I feel like I almost recognize them from somewhere.

----------

Micro fiction for your pre-Halloween weekend. 

If you find yourself pulled into a missing kid ad and erased from the collective memory of your loved ones, bang and scream on the walls of your new home. It won’t help, but at least you’ll feel like you're doing something. 

How to support me:

Ko-fi: Donations and Digital shop

Patreon: Sustaining support and Digital shop 

Red Bubble: Buy a sticker or magnet

See my newest releases on Linktree

Thank you for your support.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Four Swords Adventures: Staff of the dragon herald

 Staff of the dragon herald

Force Fairy: These fairies revive fallen Links that drop below zero hearts as long as the team has any remaining fairies. During their adventures, Link earns force fairies for gathering large sums of force gems. These fairies are rewarded when Link’s stats are calculated at the end of each stage. There are bonus force fairies hidden throughout certain stages and areas, allowing Link to earn extra lives through exploration.

Draconic staves are given to heralds of great wyrms. The more ornate and detailed, the higher age and station the dragon sovereign claims to possess. While it is not unheard of for dragons to willfully misrepresent their station in negotiations, dragons who have been caught overinflating their age or holdings are viciously mocked and harshly ostracized by their peers.

----------

Today’s drewly post is also just a regularly scheduled Sunday item drop. This serpent staff is my take on the Tevinter’s stave from Dragon Age: Inquisition. I also remixed it with a caduceus if you need a messenger or doctor staff.

Witcher items continue tomorrow with more Drewly.

What is Drewly?

Drewly is a month-long art challenge for July where you post art you have already made. No new art just for Drewly.

There are three rules:

Only post art you have already made.

Post as much or as little as you are comfortable with.

Tag your posts with #drewly and #drewly2024

If you enjoy my work, please consider donating:

Make a one-time donation with Ko-Fi:  https://ko-fi.com/theeasyspeaker

Become a sustaining supporter on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ItemCardswithTheSpeakingSquid 

Thank you for your support.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Drewly 2024: Swallow potion from the Witcher

 Swallow potion from the Witcher.

Swallow Potion: This potion closes wounds, allowing a Witcher to continue fighting even after serious injury.

Most of my Drewly posts this year will be from a series of items I drew when I was playing The Witcher 3 a few years ago. I hope you enjoy some important items from The Witcher because I sure did.

What is Drewly?

Drewly is a month-long art challenge for July where you post art you have already made. No new art just for Drewly.

There are three rules:

Only post art you have already made.

Post as much or as little as you are comfortable with.

Tag your posts with #drewly and #drewly2024

I will be posting art all month long in an effort to clear out my finished but unseen backlog.

If you enjoy my work, please consider donating:

Make a one-time donation with Ko-Fi:  https://ko-fi.com/theeasyspeaker

Become a sustaining supporter on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ItemCardswithTheSpeakingSquid 

Thank you for your support.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Wind Waker: A belay pin for tying off life lines, or severing them.

 Wind Waker: A belay pin for tying off lifelines, or severing them.

Heart: Hearts are Link’s measure of health. Picking up a heart restores up to one complete heart in his health bar. Found in freshly cut grass, broken pots, or defeated enemies Link must quickly pick up a heart or it will fade away to nothingness.

In the roil of the stormy sea, every sailor must have their lifelines tied to the mast or risk being lost at sea. When the overbearing first officer orders the fool cabin boy to check the lifelines, you see your opportunity. What a shame it would be if that very officer’s lifeline somehow came untied during the storm and sent the officer to their watery grave.

----------

Belay pins are the wooden rods that sailors used to tie down lines to the mast and other secure attachment points throughout a ship. Lifelines were literal ropes tied around a sailor’s waist and secured to the ship with a knot around a belay pin.

If you haven’t experienced Treasure Island in some form go read the book or watch one of the many movie adaptations. I am particularly partial to Muppet Treasure Island or Treasure Planet, but there are many wonderful adaptations to enjoy.

Make a one-time donation with Ko-Fi:  https://ko-fi.com/theeasyspeaker

Become a sustaining supporter on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ItemCardswithTheSpeakingSquid 

Thank you for your support.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Wind Waker: The water of life.

 The water of life.

Blue Potion: Link’s health is represented with red hearts and his magic is represented with a green bar, so the potion that restores both health and magic is blue. Drinking a blue potion restores health and magic, making these potions more expensive when purchasing them from the Windfall Island Shop. Link can only purchase them from the shop after he has donated enough blue chu chu jelly to the doctor's research.

This unassuming jug of pure water was gathered at the headwaters of the river of life. Being anointed with this water can cure any ailment, even death. But be wary when reviving the dead, death might feel owed a soul and come to settle the debt.

----------

That particular bottle shape is called an onion bottle. I wanted to draw one with the macrame wrap sailors tied about them to keep them safe aboard a ship, but I did not have the patience.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Wind Waker: A bottle of solar liqueur.

A bottle of solar liqueur.

Red Potion: The red potion of Wind Waker fully heals all of Link’s heart when he drinks it. It only works when he drinks it, so the potion can’t help Link if he loses his last heart. Link can purchase doses of red potion from Beedle’s Shop and can craft the potions in the Windfall Potion Shop using Red Chu Chu Jelly as the main ingredient.

Known as liquid sunshine, this liqueur is famous for its ability to warm the drinker. As distilled sunshine is a key ingredient, this spirit can also be used to fight denizens of the dark that loathe the light’s touch. If liquid sunshine is a real drink, we are left to wonder what the effects of liquid darkness could be.

----------

That right there is a bottle of Cointreau.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Wind Waker: A thermos of warm soup.

 A thermos of warm soup.

Elixir Soup: A hearty and filling soup made by Link’s Grandma that heals both body and spirit. Link must bring a fairy to his ill Grandma to cure her before she is well enough to make his favorite soup. Once she is better, he can always stop by for a refill of soup in an empty bottle. One bottle holds two servings of soup, so Link can refill his hearts and magic twice before running out of that delicious soup.

This container represents a perfect pairing of the scientific and arcane arts. The flask can keep any fluid hot or cold for ages. As long as the flask hasn’t been opened, the contents are kept at whatever temperature they were when the flask was sealed.

----------

Many a fantasy adventure includes some version of the ever-chill mug. The frost-ale mug from Planescape: Torment is the only one I can think of right now, but I know there are many more.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Wind Waker: A bottle of distilled wish.

A bottle of distilled wish.

Fairy: Fairies in Wind Waker look far more humanoid than many of their counterparts in other Zelda games. This difference in appearance doesn’t change their general use. If Link has a fairy captured in a bottle when he runs out of hearts, the fairy leaps to his defense and heals some of his hearts. Link can carry multiple fairies as long as he has captured each individually in its own empty bottle.

Not what some would expect when they think of a genie’s bottle, but this decorative glass bottle once held the most famous genie in the west. The genie was rescued from millennia trapped in her bottle by an astral explorer who found her bottle while trying to return home. The bottle is long empty since the genie was given her freedom before choosing to marry her rescuer.

----------

I dream of Jeanie is a show I only know about because of all the times it gets referenced in other shows.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Wind Waker: A canteen of pure forest spring water.

A canteen of pure forest spring water.

Forest Water: This mystical water can only be found in the Forest Haven, home of the Great Deku Tree and the Koroks, wood spirits that tend to nature. The water has magical energies that imbue life into the Deku and the Koroks. Its power diminishes if it is ever taken out of the haven, which makes watering eight holy saplings spread across the great sea a difficult task. If Link is able to accomplish the task, he is rewarded with a Piece of Heart.

Survival in the wilderness is almost always about finding drinkable water. If you can find water, you can at least give yourself enough time to starve to death. No explorer worth their salt should go anywhere without at least one canteen or waterskin they can rely on.

----------

There are so many versions and incarnations of the water of life in myth and legend from around the world. I always found learning about folklore and myth fascinating because you can see how central themes repeat themselves across cultures, places, and times.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph